Relevant offers

We came, we roared - let's hope they conquer.

Thousands of Wellingtonians packed the streets over lunchtime for the annual Wellington Sevens parade. The procession snaked around from Lambton Quay, down Willis St and to Civic Square for the official welcome from the mayor.

Most cheers, of course, were for the local lads. The New Zealand team is hoping for a tournament win to get them ahead of rivals South Africa in the IRB world standings.

But fans of all teams crowded on the curb or took to balconies and window sills to catch a glimpse. One family had what were possibly Argentina's youngest fans, two-year-old Max and seven-month-old Federico McCallum.

Dad Tom McCallum is English and his wife Veronica is Argentinian, so picking a team for their sons was a difficult choice, Mr McCallum said.

The kids will have to wait a few years before they'll get to see the Sevens live, though. "We've been in the past, but not while they're little."

New Zealand team coach Gordon Tietjens said his players were looking forward to heading out on to their home turf at Westpac Stadium on Friday. The parade was always an "amazing" way to kick off the event.